Homeland Security & Defence Sector

Custom Interconnect Ltd is an AS9100D Quality Approved Company. Accordingly, CIL sees the Defence sector and Homeland Security Industry as one of its critical business Sectors. Many of the Standard Operation Procedures and Practices have been based upon the business needs of this Industry Sector, ensuring that we have correct control and management of technically complex and time-critical projects.

JOSCAR

Custom Interconnect are delighted to announce that they have recently joined JOSCAR a community of buying organisations, working together to streamline supplier data management across the Defence, Security and Aerospace sectors.

JOSCAR, operated by Hellios Information, collects, validates and monitors supplier information which helps simplify and improve collaboration between buyers and suppliers, by holding information in one place. This streamlines processes, saving time and instilling trust between both parties.

Solutions

CIL is a approved Tier 1 supplier to almost all Defence primes both in the UK and Europe for its world leading PCBA technology, Semiconductor packaging, power electronics and full product build solutions. It specialty is in complex assembly especially at RF / uW frequencies and complex digital electronics. It covers the full Defence sector to include

• Space
• Aerospace
• Avionics
• RF Communications
• Land based vehicle systems
• Naval vessels
• Submersible systems
• Jamming systems including RF power amplifiers
• Targetting systems

Technology deployed

The defense, cyber and homeland security customers use all 4 of the technology offerings that CIL can provide. They are

Outsourced Semiconductor Packaging and Test (OSAT) Microelectronics

CIL is the UK's largest OSAT provider with a large percentage of its products manufactured supplied to this market. The include optical sensors, targeting systems and a huge capability in RF GaN MMIC semiconductor packaging of 2GHz - 122GHz devices. In almost all cases, defense customers who use CIL's OSAT services also use CIL's PCBA manufacturing facilities to assemble them onto boards and into complete systems. In addition to the above services, CIL recently introduce wafer bumping into the UK for advanced semiconductor packaging. As part of the install, CIL is using Tin / Lead solder balls / spheres enabling defense and space customers access to this technology for the very first time as electronic platforms reduce in size for unmanned vehicles.

Power electronics

CIL has vast power electronics experience using IGBT, SiC and GaN power devices / modules and associated drive circuits. Initially used in Automotive traction inverter solutions, this technology has transferred into Aerospace propulsion systems, motor drives, turret drives and any application whereby high voltages and currents have to be switched.

PCB Assembly and test (PCBA)

With CIL's 8 off SMT lines placing over 1 million components per day, most of which is deployed in RF communications applications, CIL's PCBA capability is the most advanced in the UK, and is used heaviliy in the manufacture of drone based systems. In late 2026, CIL will be installing a 9th SMT line to this capability and all of it is backed with multiple 3D AOI, Flying probe test, X-Ray, CT Scan systems and over 16 ATE test racks.

Full product build

CIL provides box build capability in in its CIL House and BP2 manufacturing facilities, all acredited to ISO9001, ISO13485 (Medical) and AS9100 (Aerospace) standards. The BP2 facility has a secure Box Build facility, this was created to ensure that CIL has appropriate resources available to support the mechanical assembly and testing of the electronics into enclosures

Quality and Innovation

We are involved in projects through all stages of Technical Readiness. Our change and product configuration control are managed by the Sector Group, which ensures that the product quality levels are always maintained to meet Customer demands through custom security.

The technologies used - and the inevitable breaks with convention by our Customers - always keeps us on the look-out for new manufacturing equipment and methods in order to stay well ahead of the "Technology Curve", thereby supporting this sector into the future.

Programs

Our Defence & Homeland Security Sector Group is normally project-facing and able to assist in programs that are in the early stages of Technical Readiness, where products may be used for demonstration phases through to models for a full release, deployment and subsequent operational use.

Give Custom Interconnect Ltd a call or drop us an email, and arrange a visit to view the extensive manufacturing and engineering resource available at our two UK production facilities.